Portable device for facilitating medical examination

Abstract

A medical examination device is provided with a pair of foot support assemblies, a patient support mat, and a U-shaped support frame with an attached pair of legs. Wheel assemblies are attached to the legs and facilitate the transportation of the device to and from a bed whereby the support assemblies, patient support mat, and legs are extended and adjusted to support a patient on the bed to facilitate a medical examination. The foot support assemblies are foldable, and the patient support mat and legs are collapsible so that the device is transported and stored in a small, compact size.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus adapted for mounting on a support surface and for facilitating a medical examination of a patient, said apparatus comprising:
 a support mat extendable in a first horizontal direction along a central longitudinal axis of said apparatus; 
 a U-shaped frame structure including a transverse member arranged at one end of said frame structure and extending generally perpendicular to said central longitudinal axis of said apparatus, said transverse member supporting said support mat for pivotal movement about said transverse member, a first leg assembly attached to and extending from one end of said transverse member in a second horizontal direction opposite said first horizontal direction, said first leg assembly defining one side of said frame structure, and a second leg assembly attached to and extending from an opposite end of said transverse member in said second horizontal direction, said second leg assembly defining an opposite side of said frame structure which is spaced from said one side of said frame structure such that said frame structure has an open area between said first and second leg assemblies; 
 a third leg assembly including a first foot support assembly which is movable relative to said third leg assembly, said third leg assembly being pivotally attached to said first leg assembly such that said third leg assembly is pivotable relative to said first leg assembly in a generally horizontal direction between an extended position, in which said first foot support assembly is positioned generally parallel to said central longitudinal axis of said apparatus on said one side of said frame structure and in which said third leg assembly extends from said first leg assembly along a first laterally offset longitudinal axis of said apparatus on said one side of said frame structure, said first laterally offset longitudinal axis being generally parallel to said central longitudinal axis of said apparatus, and a folded position, in which said third leg assembly and said first foot support assembly are at least partially positioned within said open area of said frame structure between said first and second leg assemblies; and 
 a fourth leg assembly including a second foot support assembly which is movable relative to said fourth leg assembly, said fourth leg assembly being pivotally attached to said second leg assembly such that said fourth leg assembly is pivotable relative to said second leg assembly in a generally horizontal direction between an extended position, in which said second foot support assembly is positioned generally parallel to said central longitudinal axis of said apparatus on said opposite side of said frame structure and in which said fourth leg assembly extends from said second leg assembly along a second laterally offset longitudinal axis of said apparatus on said opposite side of said frame structure, said second laterally offset longitudinal axis being generally parallel to said central longitudinal axis of said apparatus, and a folded position, in which said fourth leg assembly and said second foot support assembly are at least partially positioned within said open area of said frame structure between said first and second leg assemblies. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first leg assembly includes a first telescopically extendable leg, said second leg assembly includes a second telescopically extendable leg, said third leg assembly includes a third telescopically extendable leg, and said fourth leg assembly includes a fourth telescopically extendable leg, said first, second, third and fourth telescopically extendable legs cooperating to support said apparatus on a support surface. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said first telescopically extendable leg of said first leg assembly includes a first wheel assembly; and wherein said second telescopically extendable leg of said second leg assembly includes a second wheel assembly, said first and second wheel assemblies cooperating to facilitate the support and transportation of said apparatus on a support surface. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said first wheel assembly includes a first bracket and a first wheel supported by said first bracket; and wherein said second wheel assembly includes a second bracket and a second wheel supported by said second bracket. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said first, second, third and fourth telescopically extendable legs are collapsible. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support mat is pivotable about said transverse member of said frame structure between an extended position, in which said support mat extends from said transverse member in said first horizontal direction, and a retracted position, in which said support mat extends from said transverse member in a generally vertical direction, said support mat being sized and shaped so as to support a patient thereon while said support mat is in its said extended position. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said support mat includes a first portion, which is pivotally attached to said transverse member of said frame structure, and a second portion, which is foldable relative to said first portion, at least said second portion of said support mat being adapted to be placed on and supported by a patient's bed. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said third leg assembly includes a first upper member pivotally attached to said first leg assembly; and wherein said fourth leg assembly includes a second upper member pivotally attached to said second leg assembly. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first foot support assembly includes a first substantially flat leg support overlying said first upper member of said third leg assembly and a first extendable member received within said first upper member; and wherein said second foot support assembly includes a second substantially flat leg support overlying said second upper member of said fourth leg assembly and a second extendable member received within said second upper member. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said first extendable member includes a first stirrup; and wherein said second extendable member includes a second stirrup. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said first stirrup is pivotally attached to said first extendable member; and wherein said second stirrup is pivotally attached to said second extendable member.